My breeder wants me to give Willis a go in the showring. I am hesitant because he has had no show training and sits at the sight of a biscuit. I think I can train him to stand...but I wondered if anyone has any tips to teach him as fast as possible to stand still and stack? There are no ringcraft classes here within an hour...and I honestly have no idea how he will react in a ring full of other dogs...

But, I feel I need to do this as I have had a couple of firm stud requests already (he will be hipscored first), and if I can get him "out there" he will at least have more chance of a career, than the occasional "fling" ;) His dad was a very succesful stud (also owned by my breeder).. so, I do feel I want to give it a go...any tips/advice welcomed :)

PS - Phoebe is also going to be shown, but her breeder, GraceB, will be taking her in, so I'm off the hook there ;)

theres a few different ways-non easy at this age :D or size :D -first get a really tempting treat, hold it under his nose tell him stand and walk him forward with the treat, as soon as hes standing tell him well done and make a fuss--do this often if its working, each time making him stand longer until he gets the treat-----the other way is to place him, put a collar on, place his front feet. holding the collar and telling him to wait, when the fronts right then go to the back end and place the rear legs, [[[[[[[[going to be miles away :)]]]]]]]]] when he has his corners right, bring up the collar, support under his chin and ask him to wait, again practising as often as possible until he'll do it for a good while, ---it aint going to be easy having left it this long---think id video the proceedings and send them to that tv programme :rolleyes:

aaarghhh - I knew you would say that!! His breeder seems very unconcerned that we are only starting now - but he is only just over a year and he is smart... but he's not very "manageable" because of his size...once I've put the front right - I have to leave it unattended to do the back legs ...

But he is very fit, is in excellent condition, and has lovely tight feet and a lot of muscle tone..he will also let anyone go over him, and still wags his tail...so I am hoping some of that will redeem us :D

Edit - I think I'll try the walking forward then treat method...if I hold him by the collar he will just lean on me :rolleyes: Thanks :)

do let us know when its your first show :D

It looks like we might be entering at Coventry at Xmas... I'm hoping thats enough time to pull it together ;) He's never going to be a ch as he's blue and fawns do all the winning, but it won't hurt to get him out there :D (it might finish me off though).

I know...I'll make Grace take him in aswell - and when he's naughty I'll shout loudly "he's not my dog" :D

can you send me some pics and his pedigree please, -ive judged danes before, big bugg-rs arent they :D

Chloe

You could also try teaching him the 'walk back' command, might be a bit easier due to his size.

Have a treat in front of his nose and step into him with one leg giving a command. He will at least have to stand on four legs and it is a useful command in the showring if you need to move his position but don't have time to handle him into it. They soon pick it up with you only having to move the leg towards them.

Good luck
Sandra Who can't resist stroking their ears at a show.....they are so silky.

Thanks :) I'll give that a go and keep you posted :)

Sure - I'll send you the one of him nearly sitting :rolleyes: but its about as good as it gets for now!

Chloe, you will also need to get him used to being "handled" by the judge.
Get friends and family to gently look in his mouth and run their hands over his body and legs. Ideally he should stand still while this is going on......not as easy as it sounds - usually youngsters want to wash the judges face etc. but it all comes together eventually; honestly, it does!! :D

Thanks :) I'm pretty confident he will be OK with that as he is very friendly with everyone and shows no typical dane nervousness...infact, he loves everyone...but I will double check and get some folk to go over him - because I'd hate him to end up with his paws on the judges shoulders :D

I'm trying to email you, Chloe, but I can't get access to them at the moment. Could you let me know the phone number of the secretary of the Show you may be doing at Coventry - I just might enter Harry to challenge you in the BIS ring!!;) :D

Oh, and Ned says he wants to see you and Will doing the 'Dancing with Dogs' thing!!! :D

Sure, I'll get it from Jo (breeder) on Wednesday when I go see her :)

I'm going to email you a pic that Ned will like (don't panic - its quite safe) :D :D :D

Which Coventry show is this?

"She says picking up her ears as she lives not a million miles away;) "

Karen

Don't ask me - I'm a novice at this!! I'll let you know as soon as I know more!! :D

Apparently...its a breed champ show:

http://wwwmandwgdc.freeuk.com/mandwgdc/

Faint. I'm sure I'm busy on that day.

Ah.

I know I want to get Harry noticed, but.....

Perhaps in Minor Minor Minor Puppy Harlequin?
:o :D

ROFL :D :D go harry

In that case ladies I will have to give this one a miss, unless I can teach Sal how to walk on stilts by then. I think someone will notice she a slightly smaller version of a Great Dane (ie a Stafford) :D

Good luck to all who enter.

Karen